Yet another new page in a thread replete with new pages. Or old new pages. But this one will be a new old new page, which will be new and yet old in this thread.

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"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

I suppose the only objective criterion would be box office receipts (which I presume were good enough to make a profit).

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"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

Well, I can't speak to that... I suppose Twilight probably makes enough money to pay for itself. I guess I don't mind the Saw movies because I actually like bad movies, especially when "bad" means corny or over-the-top horror or comedy. But some movies are so bad that I can't take them. Take a movie like Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966). That's the worst movie I've ever watched, and I couldn't even watch the whole episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 which featured it. I sort of put the Twilight stuff in the same, essentially unwatchable class, based on what I saw of the first movie and what I know of the books (which my wife was a fan of for some reason).

Up here the instant Hallowe'en is over, the Christmas season starts. All the Hallowe'en candy, costumes and commercials vanish, and Christmas things are everywhere.

The other day I went to Target hoping to find some Thanksgiving decorations. You know, pilgrims, cornocopias, window decals. The sort of thing my mom used to put up every year. But all I saw was Christmas stuff!

It's just like how you don't see Thanksgiving movies anymore, just Christmas movies, even though I'm sure there were plenty of Pilgrim movies made in the Olden days....

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Author of "Tojet" (fantasy) and "The Lighthouse" (Gothic), info available at my website URL.

When do you all put up Christmas decorations in the US? I remember being in California in October a few times and buying things for our tree in the Christmas shop at Knot's Berry Farm. Never actually visited the park, just ate pie at the cafe. I think the last time we were there, they were closing down that store. A shame.

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I believe in One God, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

I've started putting up my Christmas lights today. They are all solar powered so I can light up every tree in the front garden with no fear of reproof.I just realised this is the fifth Christmas this thread is going to see.

Is it traditional to put up lights that early here in Oz?

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I believe in One God, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

As far as Christmas decorations go, imagine trying to explain to your spouse who is totally unfamiliar with Orthodoxy that Christmas is actually to be celebrated from Christmas until Theophany; before that is fasting and repentance. And then add on the Julian Calendar issue, which technically means no Christmas decorating or celebrating until January 7th.

Not that I insist on any of those things, but if I ever wanted to celebrate that way it would drive her nuts. Last year was my first "Orthodox Christmas" on the Julian Calendar, and I have to admit that by the time we had the Nativity liturgy I was just totally worn out on Christmas in general. I was just ready for the whole thing to be over, and then there it was again!

As far as Christmas decorations go, imagine trying to explain to your spouse who is totally unfamiliar with Orthodoxy that Christmas is actually to be celebrated from Christmas until Theophany; before that is fasting and repentance. And then add on the Julian Calendar issue, which technically means no Christmas decorating or celebrating until January 7th.

Not that I insist on any of those things, but if I ever wanted to celebrate that way it would drive her nuts. Last year was my first "Orthodox Christmas" on the Julian Calendar, and I have to admit that by the time we had the Nativity liturgy I was just totally worn out on Christmas in general. I was just ready for the whole thing to be over, and then there it was again!

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I believe in One God, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

For the past 4 or 5 years we put up Christmas stuff sometime between mid-October and early-November. I think that's extremely abnormal, though, and most people probably wait until December to put up their stuff. We also used to keep stuff up till mid-January, but that was more because it was such a hassel to take everything down.

For the past 4 or 5 years we put up Christmas stuff sometime between mid-October and early-November. I think that's extremely abnormal, though, and most people probably wait until December to put up their stuff. We also used to keep stuff up till mid-January, but that was more because it was such a hassel to take everything down.

How true. There's always such excitement and anticipation in pulling all the stuff out of storage and arranging it around the house. Somehow, by the time the 12 days are over, and it's time to put it all away, the whole thing is suddenly very trying!

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I believe in One God, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

I hate Christmas creep. I wish the attention on the day would be relegated to the Post-Thanksgiving period - instead, we've already had at least one NE Ohio radio station do their Christmas music flip already, with another one or two doing their flips this week. Yikes. Forget the stores: the Christmas merchandise gets there between June and September to be out on the shelves in October/November.

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"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

Also on the subject of Christmas... I now have 95% of my Christmas buying and wrapping done. I actually did most of the Christmas shopping during the summer time, but apparently I still have to get one more present for my youngest daughter. I had thought that I had an equal amount of presents for both daughters for Christmas, but when I went to wrap the presents I realised that once I give presents to my youngest daughter for her Birthday (Dec. 8th), she'll have one less than her sister for Christmas. So now I have to go out and figure out yet another present to get...

Also on the subject of Christmas... I now have 95% of my Christmas buying and wrapping done. I actually did most of the Christmas shopping during the summer time, but apparently I still have to get one more present for my youngest daughter. I had thought that I had an equal amount of presents for both daughters for Christmas, but when I went to wrap the presents I realised that once I give presents to my youngest daughter for her Birthday (Dec. 8th), she'll have one less than her sister for Christmas. So now I have to go out and figure out yet another present to get...

I would be really happy not dealing with any of the Christmas decorations or presents or anything this year and just going to Church on the feast. It's been such a bad year, and things at home are so rotten, I'm really not prepared to have a "Holly, Jolly, Christmas."

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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11

When do you all put up Christmas decorations in the US? I remember being in California in October a few times and buying things for our tree in the Christmas shop at Knot's Berry Farm. Never actually visited the park, just ate pie at the cafe. I think the last time we were there, they were closing down that store. A shame.

When I was a kid my family would wait to put up our tree and decorations until Dec 15'ish so that the tree would last until Jan 7. (Our parish is Old Calendar.)

Many Americans start immediately after Thanksgiving (the 4th Thursday in Nov.) Some start earlier.

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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11

So I guess those people who leave up their christmas lights all year round aren't in your good graces?

I guess it just seems like every year the push for Christmas starts earlier and earlier. My 90 y/o grandmother always laments that they start Christmas too early, and that we aren't to celebrate BEFORE the feast, but until after, and it should be a 12 day celebration. (She's always said that company's should shut down for the week after Christmas.)

When I was a kid I didn't understand this. As I get older, I now see what she means. This is how it is in the Church, but the outside world goofs it all up. I mean, it's only Nov 18 and some music stations are already playing Christmas music, and stores have had Christmas items out for a month.

It seems we start celebrating Christmas the first week of November, and then December 26 everything comes down. It's rather ridiculous if you ask me.

If this is what we do in November, how are we supposed to celebrate once the feast actually comes?

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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11

Thanks. I had made it into the top 10 posters until a certain Unitarian blew past me. Now I'll probably be stuck on being number 11 for a long time....

Sorry! Maybe one of the top 10 posters will get banned, hehe... it's happened at least twice before.

LOL, what happens, the board collectively says "We've had enough of you already!"?! j/k

I think so, lol I was thinking of TomS (3187 posts) and Matthew777 (3498 posts), both of whom, if memory serves, were in the Top 10 posters when they were banned. Even now, 2 years after either of them has posted, they would both still be in the Top 25 posters (though for some odd reason Matthew777 doesn't show up in the member list and you have to search for his name using the search function). Interestingly, TomS made a return as SmoT, and lasted longer than I thought he would, and Matthew777 also returned under a new name, though I don't recall off the top of my head what it was. (I should also note that Matthew777 isn't banned anymore, as his profile says his status is warned).

So I guess those people who leave up their christmas lights all year round aren't in your good graces?

I guess it just seems like every year the push for Christmas starts earlier and earlier. My 90 y/o grandmother always laments that they start Christmas too early, and that we aren't to celebrate BEFORE the feast, but until after, and it should be a 12 day celebration. (She's always said that company's should shut down for the week after Christmas.)

When I was a kid I didn't understand this. As I get older, I now see what she means. This is how it is in the Church, but the outside world goofs it all up. I mean, it's only Nov 18 and some music stations are already playing Christmas music, and stores have had Christmas items out for a month.

It seems we start celebrating Christmas the first week of November, and then December 26 everything comes down. It's rather ridiculous if you ask me.

If this is what we do in November, how are we supposed to celebrate once the feast actually comes?

I can understand what you're saying. I guess for my part, I've never had a regular schedule or order for Christmas, so it's never bothered me when things would start early. In my own case, I usually don't have a lot of money, so I have to start saving for Christmas in the late Spring or early Summer if I'm going to get presents for my family and extended family. I don't have a credit card because I figured student loans and whatnot was enough debt to worry about, so I can't just charge up a bunch of stuff come December and pay for it later. This year was a bit different, though, as I came into a bit of money this summer, so I just went ahead and did all my Christmas shopping in peace then and there, rather than waiting till the hectic holiday season. After all, my daughters won't care that I bought them a doll house and whatever else in July rather than waiting till December.

I can understand what you're saying. I guess for my part, I've never had a regular schedule or order for Christmas, so it's never bothered me when things would start early. In my own case, I usually don't have a lot of money, so I have to start saving for Christmas in the late Spring or early Summer if I'm going to get presents for my family and extended family. I don't have a credit card because I figured student loans and whatnot was enough debt to worry about, so I can't just charge up a bunch of stuff come December and pay for it later. This year was a bit different, though, as I came into a bit of money this summer, so I just went ahead and did all my Christmas shopping in peace then and there, rather than waiting till the hectic holiday season. After all, my daughters won't care that I bought them a doll house and whatever else in July rather than waiting till December.

This is definitely smart thinking and makes economic sense. I had a neighbor growing up who was a single mom on a limited budget. She would start putting stuff on K-Mart lay-away in June so that in September it would be paid off, and she would have her shopping done.

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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11

Thanks. I had made it into the top 10 posters until a certain Unitarian blew past me. Now I'll probably be stuck on being number 11 for a long time....

Sorry! Maybe one of the top 10 posters will get banned, hehe... it's happened at least twice before.

Hey, I've been in the Top 10 Posters a few times and they haven't banned *me* yet. Of course, what with computer troubles and a couple of people going into power-posting mode, I've been passed again. tsk-tsk.

Thanks. I had made it into the top 10 posters until a certain Unitarian blew past me. Now I'll probably be stuck on being number 11 for a long time....

Sorry! Maybe one of the top 10 posters will get banned, hehe... it's happened at least twice before.

Hey, I've been in the Top 10 Posters a few times and they haven't banned *me* yet. Of course, what with computer troubles and a couple of people going into power-posting mode, I've been passed again. tsk-tsk.

Ebor, when it comes to rankings, I'm the permanent #11 and you're the permanent #12.

To think my first post on this board dealt with C.S. Lewis, which I have yet to read.